Standard Lemma guide

auto

adj · name · noun · verb · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈɔːtəʊ/
  • Received-Pronunciation: [ˈɔː.thəʊ̯]
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • /ˈɔ.toʊ̯/ without the cot–caught merger
  • [ˈɔ.thoʊ̯] without the cot–caught merger
  • cot-caught-merger: /ˈɑ.toʊ̯/
  • cot-caught-merger: [ˈɑ.thoʊ̯] ~ /ˈɒ.toʊ̯/
  • cot-caught-merger: [ˈɒ.thoʊ̯]
  • /ˈɔ.ɾoʊ̯/ without the cot–caught merger
  • [ˈɔ.ɾoʊ̯] without the cot–caught merger
  • cot-caught-merger: /ˈɑ.ɾoʊ̯/
  • cot-caught-merger: [ˈɑ.ɾoʊ̯] ~ /ˈɒ.ɾoʊ̯/
  • cot-caught-merger: [ˈɒ.ɾoʊ̯]
  • California, Southern: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • /ˈoːtəʉ/ without t-flapping
  • [ˈoː.thəʉ] without t-flapping
  • /ˈoːtɐ̝ʉ/ without t-flapping
  • [ˈoː.thɐ̝ʉ] without t-flapping
  • /ˈoːɾəʉ/ t-flapping
  • [ˈoː.ɾəʉ] t-flapping
  • /ˈoːɾɐ̝ʉ/ t-flapping
  • [ˈoː.ɾɐ̝ʉ] t-flapping
  • rhymes with -ɔːtəʊ
  • homophone: Otto
  • homophone: otto (cot–caught merger)
  • CMU ARPABET: AO1 T OW0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Clipping of automatic (of a gearbox/transmission).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, not-comparable

Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles

Examples

  • It's an auto sedan which we picked up from a wholesaler locally.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

name

Meaning 2

An unincorporated community in West Virginia.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A setting for automatic operation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • Put it on auto.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: automatic

Antonyms: manual

4

noun

Meaning 4

An automatic gearbox/transmission.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles

Examples

  • A body-coloured centre pillar signalled the arrival of an electronic four-speed auto, slight suspension revisions and minor trim changes.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

A car with an automatic gearbox/transmission.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles

Examples

  • It wasn't too bad but we did hire an auto (couldn't imagine changing gears with my right hand).

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

Clipping of automobile.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: abbreviation, alt-of, attributive, clipping, countable, uncountable

Examples

  • My brother is an auto mechanic. He can get me a discount on auto parts.
  • In 1909, his grandfather was the first farmer in the county to buy an auto.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

An autorickshaw.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: India

Examples

  • Users are often unable to note down the number of the taxi or the auto as the driver will just zoom past.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

To travel by automobile.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

noun

Meaning 9

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he needs a car to get to work

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: car, automobile, machine, motorcar

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: motor vehicle, automotive vehicle

Narrower terms: ambulance, beach wagon, station wagon, wagon, estate car, beach waggon, station waggon, waggon, bus, jalopy, heap, cab, hack, taxi, taxicab, compact, compact car, convertible, coupe, cruiser, police cruiser, patrol car, police car, prowl car, squad car, electric, electric automobile, electric car, gas guzzler, hardtop, hatchback, horseless carriage, hot rod, hot-rod, jeep, landrover, limousine, limo, loaner, minicar, minivan, Model T, pace car, racer, race car, racing car, roadster, runabout, two-seater, sedan, saloon, sports car, sport car, sport utility, sport utility vehicle, S.U.V., SUV, Stanley Steamer, stock car, subcompact, subcompact car, touring car, phaeton, tourer, used-car, secondhand car

History

Etymology

Clipping of automatic.

Clipping of automobile.

Clipping of autorickshaw.